Dartmouth school improvement projects include new roofs, new elevators and repaved parking lots

DARTMOUTH — New elevators, new roofs and newly paved parking lots make up major school district improvement projects under way this summer.

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By AUDITI GUHA

southcoasttoday.com

By AUDITI GUHA

Posted Aug. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 2, 2013 at 6:06 AM

By AUDITI GUHA

Posted Aug. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 2, 2013 at 6:06 AM

» Social News

DARTMOUTH — New elevators, new roofs and newly paved parking lots make up major school district improvement projects under way this summer.

Schools Superintendent Ana Riley said the administration prides itself on maintaining school buildings to keep them "looking good, energy efficient and safe" in the long run.

"We keep our buildings in excellent condition," she said. "I think it's important we keep continuing to update the facilities and grounds to keep from having to build new schools every 10 to 15 years."

As part of the process, two elevators are currently being installed at the Quinn Elementary School.

"It's meant to allow access to people, not freight," said Business Administrator James Kiely, pointing out that the second floor is on two levels.

The project started after students left for the summer on June 27. The handicapped-accessible elevators should be in place before school reopens but won't be operational until late fall. In the past few years, elevators have been installed at the high, middle and Cushman schools to ensure the buildings are accessible, Kiely said.

"One of our goals is to become ADA compliant," Kiely said. "It has been asked for and is certainly a priority for us. It's a big project, it will take a lot of work but we are happy to do it."

Kiely said he did not have the actual cost of the elevator project on hand. The $743,000 contract was awarded to Coletta Contracting. Co. Inc. of Pawtucket, R.I., in April.

The Cushman and DeMello schools are getting new roofs estimated at about $1.3 million each. The work is expected to be completed this summer. The bids were awarded to Capeway Roofing Systems Inc. from Westport, Kiely said.

The front and back parking lots at the Dartmouth Middle School were also paved this summer. Kiely did not respond to calls regarding the cost of that project but School Committee Chairman Greg Jones said the project is estimated to cost between $150,000 and $154,000. Finance Director Gregory Barnes said the project would be a part of the $575,000 approved at the October 2011 Town Meeting to cover parking lot drainage and repaving at schools.

Barnes said each project has its own individually approved budget.

"Items are voted specifically for intended projects and the money allocated cannot be used for anything else," he said.